OK Another Dillon v. Hornady LNL thread

[BigSoundRacing]

Powder Measure

DaveInFloweryBranchGA ,

Thanks for the links and photos - I actually ordered the Hornady CAPD and Powder Measurer the same day as the Dillon 650, because I do want to use the stick powders with accurate measures. Based upon the pictures I have seen, the Hornady or the RCBS look like a much better solution, basically a short cut cross the powder opening rather than a long cut.

KC

 

[1911user]

Otherwise, the press is working pretty good. I have a problem with the ejector wire every now and then with 9mm and sometimes the spent primer stops the shellplate rotation. I have adjusted the decapping pin and it hasn't made a difference.

Is the sizing die almost touching the shellplate? If it is and the decap pin sticks out low enough, the shellplate rotation is a possible problem. Either the pawls could need adjustment or something could be restricting shellplate movement. Another indication of the shellplate not getting quite aligned is erratic priming force needed to seat a primer.

As a test, remove the ejector wire and cycle the shellplate with no cases. It should snap into each position going up and down. If it does, install the ejector wire and check to see if it's rubbing the shellplate and file lightly (on the wire) if needed for clearance (BTDT on 2 ejector wires). If not snapping in, loosen the shellplate bolt slightly. If it now starts snapping into position, something is restricting the shellplate movement. Make sure there is no debris under the shellplate and check the shellplate bottom for flatness (sent 2 back because of this) and rub marks on the subplate. If loosening the bolt slightly didn't help, my guess is one or both pawls need adjustment.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

BigSoundRacing,

Here's something else you may want to be aware of. This is the pic of the bushing to insure correct enough powder measure thread height and clearance:

http://www.zjstech.net/~ddixson/Hornady powderdropbushing.jpg

You'll get good results with either the Hornady LnL powder meaure or the Uniflow setups. My buddy finally went this route. Found it was a lot cheaper to buy a single Hornady LnL powder measure with micrometer and then add a powder die CAPD base for each toolhead. Saved him a lot of money and the cylinder measures work equally well for pistol or rifle.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Empyrean]

The above "fix" aside, I don't understand why Hornady hasn't already replaced your powder measure with one that's in spec. If some are out of spec, but not all, surely they have one that's in spec and in stock.

Dave,

Actually, I asked this very thing from Greg in engineering early last week and he said it would be 1-2 days. He hasn't gotten back to me. I've been so busy at work I haven't had the chance to call either. I am going to call him tomorrow. Ken in engineering seems very responsive but Greg was supposed to call me back a few times and never did. I'll follow up with him. I've been sort of patient as my press works and I figured I'd get a new version of the powder measure.

Thanks a bunch for your recommendations in troubleshooting my spent primer issue. I'll check out the press some more when I have time on the weekend.

--AJ

 

[Jacka L Ope]

+1 w\Waldog.

I've been using my Dillon RL550 for 21 years. I have no need for any other.

 

[TooTaxed]

I've used both Dillons, the Lee Loadmaster, and the Hornady LNL prior to making my choice.

Chose the LNL for three main reasons, plus a couple of minor ones. Two Big ones: faster speed and FAR less expense in switching cartridges. The LNL system is faster than switching entire press heads, besides taking far less storage space (I reload 12 cartridges, 6 pistol and 6 rifle). Besides dies, you basically need a shell plate and a set of LNL bushings for the dies.

And now for the really main reason: The Hornady powder measure is a dream compared to the Dillon! The Hornady is a modern rotary drum type, easily adjustable for different powder charges. But the main innovation is that when you finish your run on one cartridge, by simply pressing a button on the drum you can slide out the $10 adjustable powder stem...tag it with the cartridge, powder make and charge, and store it with your die set. Next time you make a run of that cartridge, simply slide it into the drum and start reloading! No adjustments necessary. You can't get faster than that! (except for my buddy, who was so frustrated with adjusting the Dillon to different charges that he bought three complete powder measures for his favorite loads...at $70 each!!)

For the record, I've read the posts about problems with the LNL...but haven't experienced any of them on the machine I bought last fall. I use a mixture of RCBS and Lee die sets, with a Lee Factory Crimp die in the fifth station. I haven't added the case feeder.

 

[atblis]

Well

Looks like Wideners is now up to $369.99 for the LNL.

Any other places to get one for $299?

 

[Ala Dan]

Hornady L-N-L

 

[TooTaxed]

ATBLIS, I haven't shopped around for pricing lately...both Midway and Graf used to have them for the low price (Graf pays the shipping, which brings them competitive with most other dealers for most items).

However, note that the current Hornady promotion is 1,000 free bullets if you buy a L-N-L progressive before, I think, December 2007. That can be worth up to about $150 or so...wish they'd had that when I got mine!

 

[threefeathers]

RCBS Pro 2000. This is the real deal.